Welcome to DBSTalk

Welcome to DBSTalk. Our community covers all aspects of video delivery solutions including: Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS), Cable Television, and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV). We also have forums to discuss popular television programs, home theater equipment, and internet streaming service providers. Members of our community include experts who can help you solve technical problems, industry professionals, company representatives, and novices who are here to learn.

Like most online communities you must register to view or post in our community. Sign-up is a free and simple process that requires minimal information. Be a part of our community by signing in or creating an account. The Digital Bit Stream starts here!

I apologize for posting this only a couple of days before the installation.

My knowledge about directv is about zero. I sure would like to find some information about how to get the best installation possible.

I am installing 1 HD-DVR and 2 other HD receivers. On Slickdeals.net I read that the HR24 is the best normal 2 tuner HD DVR and the HR25 is the best HD receiver (without DVR). I have read the HR34 has a software bug and I so I am staying away from it.

The HR24 will give me whole house DVR functionality so I intend to call the installation 800 number and request 1 HR24 and 2 HR25 receivers. I also read that if the installer does arrive with the equipment I want, I will reschedule the installation for a later date.

A renter in my basement about 5 years ago had directv installed and the wiring for the basement is still there. By looking at the wiring lying on the ground leading to my house (I buried the cabling) and also lying on top of my rafters in my garage, I believe the installer just wanted to get in and get out and probably did not do the best job possible. The only place to put the new dish is about 25 feet from the old dish out near the street (100 feet from the corner of my garage). Will new cabling be needed or can the installer just connect the new dish to the old cabling use the old cabling already in place in my house? I wonder if running cable with fewer connections is the best way to cable a house.

Your comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated and I will keep looking for information on the forums.

Does your order state that you are having Whole Home installed? I believe new MRV installations get the HR24 DVR and possibly H25 non-DVR receivers.

The installer will check whatever coax is left from the previous installation and upgrade as necessary. They will also check for line of sight. Why do you think the new dish needs to be 25' from the old dish? Tree growth?

All software based equipment is subject to bugs and is a work in progress. I have had a HR34 since February and have had very few bugs. I would get the flagship receiver and watch them improve it. Also the HR34 is the only receiver you can specify to be installed, the rest is luck of the draw, unless you plan to own your receivers.

I've Had H25 NON dvr's since 2008 without any issue..then again I got mine when Best Buy was still selling Directv receivers..who knows what condition you may get your boxes from the back of that install truck..

What you get when you order from DIRECTV is whatever they pull from inventory. You cannot be guaranteed of getting a particular model (except, as noted above, the HR34). Know that just like cable companies, satellite companies regularly refurbish equipment and return it to service in both new installs and replacement situations.

It probably wouldn't hurt to ask to see and, perhaps more importantly, smell the receivers before they begin installation.

Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought. -- JFK

I've Had H25 NON dvr's since 2008 without any issue..then again I got mine when Best Buy was still selling Directv receivers..who knows what condition you may get your boxes from the back of that install truck..

The H25 became widely available in Spring of 2011. If your receivers are from 2008, it is more likely that they are H21s or maybe H23s (Summer 2008).

Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought. -- JFK

On Slickdeals.net I read that the HR24 is the best normal 2 tuner HD DVR and the HR25 is the best HD receiver (without DVR).

The single concern with the H25 (not HR25) is that it lacks some flexibility with respect to what kinds of TVs and sound systems it can drive and where you may locate it.

From the factory, it lacks RF remote capability and the ability to drive a HDTV that doesn't support HDMI. On the audio front, it offers coaxial digital audio but not the more conventional optical output.

These may or may not seem like shortcomings to you depending on your setup but they can be real problems that don't exist on other models.

Remember also that a box is required for each TV; there's nothing available without a box.

Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought. -- JFK

From my recent experience be prepared for new cabling to be installed and routed in and out of your home even if you already have your own cabling. Clear all the areas where you expect work to be done in for easy access. I had a very large order so I took the day off from work to be present for the full installation. You may want to consider doing this too if you work that day. Also it is very important you go over exactly what will done before he actually does anything.

As harsh says, I wouldn't want a used Box in the house. Was the last person a heavy smoker? I know that as a non smoker the smell from a smoker's equipment bothers me.
And if it smelled like bug spray It wouldn't make in in the door either.

Did they have bedbugs or roaches? Fleas?

I repair computers and I have to keep a can of Raid handy for the occasional computer that is alive. My workbench here at work is probably contaminated from all the Raid I've sprayed on it over the years when things start scurrying away from a customers computer.

Those go in a garbage bag with some Raid sprayed in and returned to the customer. Just not worth taking a chance on their getting into my house.

The HR24 will give me whole house DVR functionality so I intend to call the installation 800 number and request 1 HR24 and 2 HR25 receivers.

You can't specify models, as others have noted. As to refusing the install, that's your choice but the installer then makes the trip for nothing (and gets paid nothing for doing so).

Any of the HR2x receivers is considered current by DirecTV, and any of the H2x receivers. Note there is no HR25. The "R" indicates a recorder, so the HR24 is a DVR and the H25 is a non-DVR receiver. Any H2x receiver (with one exception) can watch recordings from any HR2x DVR via whole-home.

As to the HR34, I agree it is the device to choose if you have an option. Might cost you $99 over an HR2x, but it is well worth it.

Does your order state that you are having Whole Home installed? I believe new MRV installations get the HR24 DVR and possibly H25 non-DVR receivers.

The installer will check whatever coax is left from the previous installation and upgrade as necessary. They will also check for line of sight. Why do you think the new dish needs to be 25' from the old dish? Tree growth?

BTW, any of the HR2x series of DVR will work with MRV.

I take it that the DirecTV installation in 2010 fell through!

The 2010 install did fail because of trees. The first 2012 install also failed because of trees but I cleared out brush and small tree growth in an area near the old dish location (still there) and the directv installer was kind enough to return a couple of days later and verify good satellite contact in the cleared out area.

I apologize for posting this only a couple of days before the installation.

My knowledge about directv is about zero. I sure would like to find some information about how to get the best installation possible.

I am installing 1 HD-DVR and 2 other HD receivers. On Slickdeals.net I read that the HR24 is the best normal 2 tuner HD DVR and the HR25 is the best HD receiver (without DVR). I have read the HR34 has a software bug and I so I am staying away from it.

The HR24 will give me whole house DVR functionality so I intend to call the installation 800 number and request 1 HR24 and 2 HR25 receivers. I also read that if the installer does arrive with the equipment I want, I will reschedule the installation for a later date.

A renter in my basement about 5 years ago had directv installed and the wiring for the basement is still there. By looking at the wiring lying on the ground leading to my house (I buried the cabling) and also lying on top of my rafters in my garage, I believe the installer just wanted to get in and get out and probably did not do the best job possible. The only place to put the new dish is about 25 feet from the old dish out near the street (100 feet from the corner of my garage). Will new cabling be needed or can the installer just connect the new dish to the old cabling use the old cabling already in place in my house? I wonder if running cable with fewer connections is the best way to cable a house.

Your comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated and I will keep looking for information on the forums.

TIA, Terry

Get the hr34. It will be the platform that adds more features going forward than the older units, it is the future, and the "bugs" it has and people report today aren't like they where months ago. (the original HR20 had lost of issues when it was first released, and within about six months or so, it was running smooth, just as the hr34 today which has now been out 6 months.) None of the bugs i have seen now are anything that keeps it from being usable, or reliable, and is more cosmetic and those issues will go away. (and most those are related to issues with seeing recordings from other dvrs, which you won't have) Today, I'd say the amount of issues present are about the same as the amount of people having issues with any of their equipment in general, in terms of what I see posted here at dbstalk. Its definetly safe to jump in.

you're telling me they're going to install another dish? I was under the impression (based on what they told me) that the current one would be replaced. I'm i reading that wrong?

It depends on what "international" programming you subscribe to. Spanish language programming is on the 119 satellite, which you receive with a 5 LNB Slimline dish. Other international, such as Russian, chinese, etc., comes from the 95 satellite which does require a separate dish.

It depends on what "international" programming you subscribe to. Spanish language programming is on the 119 satellite, which you receive with a 5 LNB Slimline dish. Other international, such as Russian, chinese, etc., comes from the 95 satellite which does require a separate dish.

Get the hr34. It will be the platform that adds more features going forward than the older units, it is the future, and the "bugs" it has and people report today aren't like they where months ago. (the original HR20 had lost of issues when it was first released, and within about six months or so, it was running smooth, just as the hr34 today which has now been out 6 months.) None of the bugs i have seen now are anything that keeps it from being usable, or reliable, and is more cosmetic and those issues will go away. (and most those are related to issues with seeing recordings from other dvrs, which you won't have) Today, I'd say the amount of issues present are about the same as the amount of people having issues with any of their equipment in general, in terms of what I see posted here at dbstalk. Its definetly safe to jump in.

You will be much happier with a hr34.

+1000000

The small bugs on the 34 are insignificant and they are improving the 34 with each software release. The 34 has far more features than hr24 and you will run into record program conflicts with only 1 DVR with only 2 tuners. Trust us on this one.

I have read the HR34 has a software bug and I so I am staying away from it.

The main bug is not being able to download and watch VOD content without constant random pausing/skipping. If your not ordering any other DVRs with it then you have to deal with the problem until they fix it which could be months. The solution currently is to download the VOD from another DVR then watch via MRV on the 34 and it works fine, personally I don't have another HR2X series DVR so I am stuck dealing with this problem...

The main bug is not being able to download and watch VOD content without constant random pausing/skipping. If your not ordering any other DVRs with it then you have to deal with the problem until they fix it which could be months. The solution currently is to download the VOD from another DVR then watch via MRV on the 34 and it works fine, personally I don't have another HR2X series DVR so I am stuck dealing with this problem...

Yes this is quite bothersome, lucky for me I do have another HD DVR to help ease the pain of the HR 34 on demand bug.